Powering India’s Growth with Energy Efficiency | ABB Symposium 2025
India’s industries are growing at a rapid pace. But with almost 50% of the country’s electricity being consumed by industry, a pressing question arises: How can India continue to grow without putting additional strain on the planet? Energy efficiency is the answer—delivering cost savings, boosting competitiveness, and supporting industries in moving closer to net-zero goals.
To accelerate this vision, ABB hosted its Energy Efficiency Symposium 2025 in New Delhi, themed “Outrun with Energy Efficiency | Driving Change through Leadership Action.” The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and ABB experts to showcase how smarter technologies, efficient motors, and digital solutions can make Indian industries leaner, cleaner, and more profitable.
In an exclusive conversation with Erich Labuda, Global Division President, Motion Services, ABB Ltd., and Sanjeev Arora, President – Motion Business, ABB India shared insights on how electrification and energy-efficient motors and drives can power India’s growth journey.
Energy Efficiency: A Low-Hanging Fruit for Industry
Highlighting that electricity is one of the biggest cost components for manufacturing, Sanjeev Arora emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of high-efficiency motors and drives in India.
“Accelerating adoption is happening, but not at the pace required,” he explained. “We are progressing in certain sectors, but to achieve an overall umbrella of energy efficiency, the minimum efficiency standards should now raise their bar to IE3 or IE4. From ABB, we are already manufacturing more than 50% of motors at IE3 and IE4 efficiency levels, which shows the strong intent and commitment.”
Arora further underlined the role of government schemes like Perform, Act and Trade (PAT). “If we can propagate PAT further and bring more industries under its umbrella, it will greatly accelerate the adoption of high-efficiency motors and drives,” he said.
He also highlighted ABB’s role in pioneering technology proof points for industry: “As an industry, we are responsible for bringing the best technologies and doing proof of concepts with our customers. Recently, we are piloting IE5 motors on induction technology. The papers we publish from these pilots should reach policymakers and the wider industry, helping replication across India.”
Electrification: The Clear Path to Higher Efficiency
Electrification is not only transforming industry but also redefining transportation efficiency. Erich Labuda explained, “It’s very clear—the move towards electrified solutions away from combustion takes efficiency from around 40% to up to 99%. Electrification is absolutely the way forward to really drive energy efficiency across the globe. As an industry, we are at the forefront of driving this change.”
He stressed that ABB’s leadership role extends beyond technology. “Energy efficiency as an industrial leader means sharing knowledge, explaining what is possible, and offering solutions that fit customer needs. It is also about driving awareness and education, including within academia, while continuously developing the world’s best products,” Erich added.
ABB’s 100-Year Commitment to Energy Efficiency
ABB’s history in energy efficiency is over a century old, and its innovation continues to set benchmarks for industries worldwide.
“ABB is 100% committed to energy efficiency, and has been for more than 100 years,” said Erich. “We have been manufacturing the most efficient electrical motors since the 1890s. Our contribution spans across heavy industries and light industries alike.”
The company is driving energy efficiency appraisals with its customers by going into their operations, identifying key levers, and prioritizing interventions based on clear ROI calculations. “This structured approach ensures customers can prioritize the right investments with measurable returns,” he noted.
Transport Sector: Pioneering Electrification of Trains
Beyond industry, ABB is playing a vital role in transforming the transport sector. Erich explained, “We are part of the electrification of trains, which are among the most demanding applications. Trains have to run continuously for 40–50 years, so we provide them with the highest energy efficiency class available. This not only reduces operational costs but also contributes significantly to sustainable mobility.”
Driving Change through Leadership Action
Summarizing ABB’s vision, Sanjeev Arora emphasized that industry-wide adoption of advanced technologies, strong policy support, and collaborative proof-of-concept initiatives are key to making India a global leader in energy efficiency.
“By combining smarter technologies, government programs, and our responsibility as an industry to bring the best solutions, we can truly make energy efficiency the foundation of India’s competitiveness and sustainability,” he said.
As ABB’s global and Indian leadership underscored at the symposium, energy efficiency is not just a technological upgrade—it is a transformational pathway to future-ready industries, sustainable exports, and a greener planet.
